Zimbabwe's Mr Ugly Introduces New Pageant System

The Mr Ugly pageant will this year introduce a new concept called Beauty and the Beast, which will see the contest run along with a beauty competition.

Pageant organiser David "Apama" Machowa told The Standard Style on Friday that the move was part of their efforts to improve the competition every year since its inception in 2011.

"Beauty is found in women, and one cannot say a woman is ugly, but a man can be said to be ugly," he said.

"This year, we are celebrating beauty in ugliness, so we are introducing Beauty and the Beast whereby [female] models will battle it out to stand beside the beast."

Machowa said there had been an increase on cash prizes this year, adding that they would introduce the people's choice award, where fans can vote through social media platforms. He said they had incorporated an international judge.

Speaking on the perennial participants like William Masvinu who emerged victorious in the recent provincial stages, Machowa said the contest was open for one to enter for as many times as they wished.

"Our pageant is different from others and it is open to anyone who wants to participate, so Masvinu can contest along with those that did not win last year," Machowa said.

He said he was not worried about what people say as the event had attracted mixed feelings across the country.

"Personally, I started this thing for fun so I am not worried about people who comment negatively because no one is forced to sign up or participate," he said, while highlighting that this year the event will take place in Bulawayo.

Former model and founder of Zim Gossip Models agency, Mercy "Catwalk" Mushaninga said she does not believe anyone is ugly as some would want to put it, moreso with the Bible saying man was created in the image of God.

"I do not think it is right because no one is ugly, so it is not empowering anyone. They would rather rebrand it to Mr Zimbabwe to use it as a way of encouraging acceptance among people," said Mushaninga, adding that the monetary benefit was not worth the ridicule that contestants and their relatives may face.

The event is on an unparalleled rising streak after last year when it hit international headlines, attracting more sponsors among them Lifestyle Furniture Centre.

Mr Ugly Africa will be hosted in South Africa in November before it culminates into Mr Ugly World set for early next year in Zimbabwe.